EXPLOSION IN BUILDING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 142, 19 June 1939, Page 8

EXPLOSION IN BUILDING

ELECTRICAL WORKERS INJURED SERIOUS BURNS RECEIVED. ( Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 17. With their clothing almost entirely blown off their bodies, two electrical workers were taken from a substation in the basement of Nathan’s Buildings, in Featherston Street, this morning, following an electrical explosion which rocked the building. Four fire engines and an ambulance were rushed to the scene and, although there was little -work for the firemen to do the ambulance removed to hospital the two victims, both suffering from severe burns to the head, face, arms, hands and upper part of the bodies. They are:— An apprentice named Butcher, of Daniel Street, Newtown. J. Easson, of Ariki Road, Hataitai. The men were working at. a switch on their own, when a short, circuit, believed to have carried 11,000 volts, occurred. There was a terrific flash, lighting up a yard and actually being seen on the fourth storey up the lift well. As soon as possible the men were taken from the cellar, which was j full of smoke and fumes. The fire I danger was seen to be very slight, as ! a few rags and clothing that had been ignited were soon put out. Three firemen and an electrical i engineer had just left the cellar, when I a second explosion occurred, rocking the building again. Had they stayed in the cellar they might have met the same fate as. the other two, who are both reported to be in a serious condition.